Support and discussion for all of Akai’s modern standalone MPCs including the MPC X / X SE, MPC Live 1, 2 & 3, MPC One / One+, MPC Key 37/61.
By B-Wise Thu Apr 04, 2024 9:11 pm
richie wrote:
B-Wise wrote:I think over the years people overhyped the sound quality of the 3k & we're disappointed by the reality more than anything. I posted the test last year but you can easily find & judge for yourself.


I agree. In my opinion, the "magic" of the 3000 is the timing of the sequencer, not the sampler itself although some people I've discussed this with end up getting triggered.

Not to derail the discussion but Ensoniq samplers have always sounded better than Akai stuff. I'm only basing this on the fact that I own a decent amount of said samplers to attest to this.

I'm about to do some sample test of the Force, ASR-10, RS7k & SP505. But I also want to compare the filters & FX. I did mind triggering people if it means killing false illusions. :smh:
By B-Wise Thu Apr 04, 2024 9:27 pm
mr_debauch wrote:it isnt about what sounds better than what, it's about how at NAMM, akai employees were telling namm attendees that the ren controller had the 3000 mode button and the same circuitry as the mpc 3000 and how the effect you were hearing was all being done due to that circuitry in the hardware..... at that time there was no visible vintage mode pluggin. when you launched the effect, it would remain hidden as to keep the secret that it was a static preset of their bit reduction pluggin. the point of bringing that up is to show how it's naive to assume akai would be dishonest, let alone towards MPC users as you suggest..... they have been doing this to MPC users ever since inmusic has owned akai.

Dont get me wrong, the new gen of MPCs since the OG live and X is a total turnaround for akai IMO... they were bastards in the era of the 5000. that being said, dont forget about their track record... it isn't pretty.

I got the point you was making & I know Akai record of "stretching the truth" but with something as important as stems I don't think even Akai would lie about it coming to standalone. That sin would too unforgivable with this many users that all these new models brought to their company :twisted:

Plus social media of today is more destructive to a company reputation when making mistakes or shitty business moves. Anything is possible tho. Unfortunately more people because of social media have short attention spans... :roll:
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By Lampdog Thu Apr 04, 2024 9:29 pm
richie wrote:Ensoniq samplers have always sounded better than Akai stuff.

+1

A certain sound I get from ASR-10 than MPC X, Key61, 4000 doesn't give me right off the beats using samples that were sampled in.

No filters, no envelopes, no eq, no nothing, default, ASR-10 just sounded better to me.
By B-Wise Thu Apr 04, 2024 9:33 pm
Lampdog wrote:
richie wrote:Ensoniq samplers have always sounded better than Akai stuff.

+1

A certain sound I get from ASR-10 than MPC X, Key61, 4000 doesn't give me right off the beats using samples that were sampled in.

No filters, no envelopes, no eq, no nothing, default, ASR-10 just sounded better to me.

What sounds better the ASR-10 or ASR-X?
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By richie Thu Apr 04, 2024 10:41 pm
jpeg wrote:
its cos peeps want stems standalone all in da box; controller mode is just a stop off, most of us never used controller mode at all

alos those free high quality ones i hear take bout 5 mins people wanna move quickly


I completely understand where you're coming from and you're right. If you're talking about the free ones where you upload a .wav over to a site, it's because that site is handling the processing for you in varying ways.

At the end of the day, I would not count on Akai coming up with a better implementation than what everyone else is doing - because what everyone else is doing are using the same open source stem models floating around, only difference being that they'll come up with better software to interface it with.
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By Lampdog Thu Apr 04, 2024 11:47 pm
B-Wise wrote:What sounds better the ASR-10 or ASR-X?

Both had that same sound..

I was talking about mpc x earlier.

I did, however have an ASR X PRO (red) prior to ever having any mpc.
had it for about 2 yrs, loved it, bought a classic grey 2kxl and sold the ASR X PRO.
only because the 2kxl was so much easier to deal with. ASR X Pro sounded MUCH better
Had built in efx, same as kybd asr-10, a much stronger sample engine, more features, BUT, the pads were hard plastic which killed my beatmaking passion and the 2 knobs was NOT the business. I wanted a drum machine, not an ecth-a-sketch. Got the 2kxl and never looked back. Sold that and got the orange 2kxlse2 which has THEE best feeling pads of all mpc’s imo.
By B-Wise Fri Apr 05, 2024 4:40 am
Lampdog wrote:
B-Wise wrote:What sounds better the ASR-10 or ASR-X?

Both had that same sound..

I was talking about mpc x earlier.

I did, however have an ASR X PRO (red) prior to ever having any mpc.
had it for about 2 yrs, loved it, bought a classic grey 2kxl and sold the ASR X PRO.
only because the 2kxl was so much easier to deal with. ASR X Pro sounded MUCH better
Had built in efx, same as kybd asr-10, a much stronger sample engine, more features, BUT, the pads were hard plastic which killed my beatmaking passion and the 2 knobs was NOT the business. I wanted a drum machine, not an ecth-a-sketch. Got the 2kxl and never looked back. Sold that and got the orange 2kxlse2 which has THEE best feeling pads of all mpc’s imo.

My bad I misread your post. Luckily you still was able answer my question so thank!
By seddison Fri Apr 05, 2024 11:06 am
hey new user here - I just got the mpcxse and stems this week
I am someone who is a technology freak and a design lover - this kit is fantastic and I love the throwback to the 90s samplers of s1000 that I had in the day
I am very critical of things that don't work but effusive in my praise when they do - this is fantastic !!!
the stems extension is superb and will help me learn songs for the stage quickly (thats v amateur not pro btw)
now here's the rub for you wanting it on the standalone I'm in IT so I checked the cpu usage as I hav an M1 Max Mac doing the work
it maxed out 10 cpus whilst doing the stem work - which is superb - hats off to the developers (not using all cpus available for cpu intensive tasks is a common failing)
however that means I think thats why the decision was to pass the processing back to the computer -the mpc couldn't cope
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By MPC-Tutor Fri Apr 05, 2024 12:05 pm
I'm sure Akai have every good intention of releasing this on standalone, I assume it's ultimately centred around dealing with the extremely long processing times. Perhaps the suits are wanting the developers to 'nerd harder' and come up with some kind of magical low-cpu solution that retains sound quality. Or maybe they are trying to work out how to convince customers to accept a strict sample length limit in standalone.

mr_debauch wrote:
B-Wise wrote:This is not the type of feature a company like at this level would just gaslight their customers with, especially MPC users.


yeah, that would be on the level of saying that the mpc renaissance has the same circuitry as the mpc 3000, and vintage mode was an analog effect done in the hardware.
By B-Wise Fri Apr 05, 2024 1:01 pm
MPC-Tutor wrote:I'm sure Akai have every good intention of releasing this on standalone, I assume it's ultimately centred around dealing with the extremely long processing times. Perhaps the suits are wanting the developers to 'nerd harder' and come up with some kind of magical low-cpu solution that retains sound quality. Or maybe they are trying to work out how to convince customers to accept a strict sample length limit in standalone.

I think your right. It also give people time to get used to doing it on the PC even people that never even use Controller mode, so by time it get to Standalone if it has long processing time most will just keep using Controller mode & transfer it. Since if you already bought it, it won't cost you nothing if you do need to use it for some short stems on Standalone or they could add different quality options one being "Highest" that's just as good as PC mode if your willing to wait... this is just my wise guess.
By 40Beatz Fri Apr 05, 2024 1:20 pm
My Suggestion to Akai would be to Limit the Original Sample File To Be Stemmed Out (Standalone)...Should be..Ummm...20secs or so. That would reduce Processing Time!

Bcz most of us Stem Users are snatching Small portions of a Stemmed Out Sample anyway. If you want to Stem Out a WHOLE SONG.... Do it in Controller Mode!
By B-Wise Fri Apr 05, 2024 2:44 pm
40Beatz wrote:My Suggestion to Akai would be to Limit the Original Sample File To Be Stemmed Out (Standalone)...Should be..Ummm...20secs or so. That would reduce Processing Time!

Bcz most of us Stem Users are snatching Small portions of a Stemmed Out Sample anyway. If you want to Stem Out a WHOLE SONG.... Do it in Controller Mode!

I think giving the user stem quality options would be better than a set time limit for standalone. Not everyone's in a rush.
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By richie Fri Apr 05, 2024 5:55 pm
B-Wise wrote:I think giving the user stem quality options would be better than a set time limit for standalone. Not everyone's in a rush.


Yeah, it's actually an option with UVR and other stem related front ends. Only thing is, if you reduce the quality, you'll have artifacting which isn't that nice unless you're one of those folks that makes "lo fi" which gives you permission to have your beats sounding like sh*t anyway LOL.
By 40Beatz Fri Apr 05, 2024 6:52 pm
It's not about Rushing...its about if this Almost Ten Year Old Circuitry Can Handle The Processing Time/Power lol
By BeatWilson Sat Apr 06, 2024 6:54 am
A lot of those AI Stem Ripping Software give the option of using your GPU. It's like how 3d renders work. One is called Arnold and another called Redshift. Arnold runs on CPU and Redshift run on GPU. Rendering the audio on an old CPU will definitely take a bit of time. The 30 second time limit is a good idea but honestly I think this whole stems thing maybe has to do with 3.0
Releasing them together with new hardware is my prediction. Maybe a new MpcX.
If stems comes to standalone with no issues I would be surprised.
Since it's software only, I'll stick to other stem ripping software.
As for people talking about the Mpc3000 Sound. It does have a bit of the sound because of the conversion but its ever so slight. I think the timing on the machine, with the conversion on the output as well as the filters makes it still a nice unit. Just a way over priced unit these days it all. I think the Mpc60 has a nice chunkier sound on the drums.